Gurgaon-based start-up offers dogs to help you de-stress

They are used as part of pet therapy session at universities, corporate offices, hospitals and even private residences.

Three friends in Gurgaon decided to tap pet therapy market in Indian by setting up the Fur Ball Story in 2016. (Photo: Facebook)

The concept of pet therapy is relatively new in India when compared to the West. Three friends in Gurgaon decided to tap this market by setting up the Fur Ball Story in 2016.

One of the founders, law student Shrishti Sharma, got the idea for their business when she noticed how college authorities were able to successfully increase student attendance by bringing two dogs on campus. She later pitched the idea to her friends – Animesh Katiar (a lawyer), Arushi Dixit (a designer), and Kunal Daral (an IT professional) – and their start-up was born in December 2016.

For now, the team has adopted Muffin (a Labrador), Cocoa (a shihtzu), and Angel (a golden retriever) that are trained as therapy dogs. These cute creatures can meet over 40-50 people a day without snapping at them. They are used as part of pet therapy session at universities, corporate offices, hospitals and even private residences.